David Trubridge

The David Trubridge Studio is driven by a strong environmentally conscious philosophy which informs all aspects of design and production. Such motivations come before profit. During an interview with the Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, Trubridge answered the fundamental question of why he designs: 

“To provide cultural nourishment, to tell stories, to reach people emotionally and spiritually; the objects are a vehicle for the nourishment we so badly lack in all the pragmatic and consumer stuff we are surrounded with. And the other reason I design is to recreate that vital connection to nature that we have lost so much, living in insulated cities.”  

The company offers a collection of 25 lights in a range of sizes and finishes. All lighting designs are designed and produced to be sent as kitset which reduces the products footprint and allows for rapid delivery to any location. Due to simple E27 lamping on most models a wide range of lighting effects can be achieved.   

David's work came to prominence in 2001 when the Italian design house Cappellini bought the rights for Body Raft. The Coral light followed in 2004, establishing a blueprint for kit-set products that minimised environmental footprint. The company is proud to hold Life Cycle Assessments (LCA’s) and Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). David's designs have featured in countless international publications including the most influential, as an instigator of the trend of 'raw sophistication' and as an exemplar of environmentally responsible design. In 2008 the French magazine Express listed him as one of the top 15 designers in the world, and in 2012 the Pompidou Centre in Paris purchased his 'Icarus' installation for its permanent collection. In 2019 David was awarded the NZ Order of Merit for services to design.  

The company also has a dedicated design facility; DT Studio, which works internationally on commission work, public art and licensed designs for other companies. These projects have taken place all over the world and for varied clients, both large corporations and small businesses.